Dog Hair Allergy Symptoms

Hair allergy is a problem that affects some dog owners and
causes a variety of symptoms. Despite their allergy, most allergic dog
owners still want to keep their pets. Here's a look at the causes of an
allergic reaction, the symptoms of dog hair allergy and what steps you
can take to obtain relief from your symptoms.

How an Allergic Reaction Occurs

When an allergic reaction occurs, your overactive immune system is
the cause. Your immune system perceives an allergen as a threat to your
overall health, and it mounts a defense against it. This defense comes
in the form of the chemical histamine, and it causes a variety of
reactions in your body, including hives, skin itching and redness,
diarrhea and vomiting. In extreme cases, high histamine levels can cause
problems with swallowing and breathing as tissues in your throat swell.

Reducing the histamine levels in your body helps alleviate the
allergy symptoms. To do this, most physicians recommend antihistamines
as part of an overall allergy control program. Antihistamines help
relieve itching, reduce skin redness and swelling, and alleviate
digestive system distress.

What Causes Dog Hair Allergy

Hair allergy is a fairly common complaint among allergic dog owners,
but it's a misconception. Canine hair allergy is actually an allergy to a
protein called Canis familiaris allergen 1, or Can f 1, which is
present in your dog's dander and saliva.

Signs of a Dog Hair Allergy

If you have a dog hair allergy, you probably won't have an allergic
reaction to dog dander and saliva the first time you're exposed to them.
Allergies require consistent exposure over a long period of time to
develop, so it will likely take a few years for your allergy symptoms to
show up.

Symptoms of a dog hair allergy include facial itching, reddened eyes,
sneezing, wheezing and a runny nose. Since saliva is a main component
of dog hair allergy, sensitive people may develop skin irritation or
redness if they are licked by a dog.

Steps to Take to Get Relief

Consult your physician if you suspect you have a dog hair allergy. He
or she can prescribe medication, such as tablets, nose sprays or eye
drops to help relieve your symptoms, and together you can create an
allergy treatment plan. In severe cases, a series of allergy shots to
desensitize your immune system to dog dander and saliva may be required
to effectively treat the problem.

Part of the plan should include a thorough housecleaning routine,
which includes scrupulous daily vacuuming, especially of carpets,
draperies and upholstered furniture. Use a high-efficiency particulate
air (HEPA) filter in your home's climate control system, and consider
installing a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom or in rooms in which your
dog spends most of his time. This will help to remove as much dander as
possible from your home environment. Set up your bedroom as a dog-free
allergy sanctuary to give your body a chance to rejuvenate each night
during sleep.

Thorough dog grooming should also be part of your treatment plan.
Your dog should be bathed weekly, brushed daily and treated regularly
with an allergen-reducing spray. Follow label instructions carefully in
order to obtain maximum benefit from this product.